When I began to think of the many topics I would like to discuss in my blog, the first thing that came to mind was the power a good dog can have on a mans life. Growing up I always had a dog. Luckily my father thought this was an important thing for a boy to have. Owning a dog teaches responsibility, love, and friendship. I loved all of my boyhood dogs dearly.
It wasn't until my fifth year of college I really learned what being a responsible dog owner was all about. I was about to begin my fifth year at Baker University. I was finished chasing the baseball dream, and I knew I would have a lot of spare time on my hands. I had talked with my girlfriend at the time about getting a dog. She thought it was a great idea. Now came the time for picking what breed I wanted. After researching the breeds I settled on the Boxer. A noble, smart, and playful dog. I knew this was the breed for me and my lifestyle. I love the outdoors and being silly. Everything I heard about the breed was positive.
I began calling different breeders around the Kansas City area and I found a lady in Topeka whose boxer was about to have pups. I was so excited. The breeder called me when the puppies were born and a few days later I drove to Topeka to pick out MY dog. This would be the first dog that was all mine. I didn't have to share with my family. It was all on me. When I arrived at the house, I was taken to the basement where the beautiful fawn mother was nursing the litter of pups. I was immediately drawn to the runt of the litter. I picked her up. She looked like a little guinea pig not able to open her eyes yet. As I was holding her, she pooped on me. This is how I knew she was the one. I let her down and she tried to go back to her moms nipple, but the other pups were fat and wouldn't let her in. I moved one over so my pup could get in there and eat.
I paid the breeder, and for the next six weeks I made frequent visits to see my girl. I decided on a name after consulting with my best friend. I have always had an extreme love of music. Willie Nelson is my all time favorite musician. Since my last name is Nelson, I decided I could play around with "Willie" sounding names. Then I decided to simply flip the "W" to an "M" and Millie Nelson was the name I decided on.
The day came to pick up Millie. I drove to Topeka with my lady friend to pick her up. It was by far one of the happiest days of my life. Millie rode on my lap all the way home. She was so small and curious. When we got back to my house she explored the yard and went to take her first poop at my house. She was so clumsy, she fell back into her poop. This spurred Millies first bath.
I will fast forward a few months down the line. Millie had grown into a great dog. So much energy and love. She learned quickly and loved walks around campus with her Frisbee. I loved walking her around campus because I loved the attention I received from everyone as we played. Millie was not fond of the leash, still isn't to this day. She never goes far from me.
It was now April. A month away from graduation. I would go to class and come straight home to play with Millie and do homework. I was still active around campus, but I was kind of out of the loop since I was no longer playing baseball and had a serious girlfriend. I had a radio show with my best friend. I would take Millie to the studio with me during our weekly show. I had recently broken my leg during an intramural softball game (I still refuse to play softball to this day). Then the darkest day of my life happened.
I woke up early in the morning to Millie howling at the door. I heard the doorbell ringing and excessive knocking. I looked at my phone to see many missed calls. I grabbed my crutches and hobbled down the stairs to find the campus minister, the Dean, and two police officers at my door. They were there to inform me that my roommate had been killed by a train the next town over. I won't go in to much more detail on that day, because honestly it was all a blur. So many people in and out of my house. Family members, friends, people I had never met before. The only constant that day was Millie. I tried to be strong for everyone. Millie was the only way I was comfortable to cry and grieve. She was my pillow, my only reason for getting out of bed so she wouldn't go potty in the house. I do not know how I would have survived that ordeal without Millie there for me every second of the day.
I graduated college in May and accepted a job for Fox News in Oklahoma City. Millie and I were there for a about a year. During this time, things became more serious with my college girlfriend. After much thought I made the drive back up to Kansas for the weekend, with Millie and a ring in my pocket. The three of us went to the lake, Millie chased ducks, and me and the lady sat on a blanket like we had done many times. I proposed to her that night and now I had a fiance and the hopes of a good start to a family. The three of us. The future was looking bright.
The next summer as I was getting ready to be a married man, Millie and I moved to Kansas City. The fiance wanted to live there so I obliged. It was tough leaving my good job and family in Oklahoma City, but I was excited for the next chapter in my life. As the wedding date moved closer, me and the fiance started moving further apart. Things just were not working out. We decided it was best to break it off before we got in too deep. As we were going through things each of us wanted from the break up, I told her she could have anything but the dog. Millie was the only thing that mattered to me. We broke it off and me and the dog moved to Omaha Nebraska. It was a random place to go, but I didn't want to be around all the things that reminded me of my "failure" in a relationship.
It wasn't long into my stay in Omaha that I received an amazing job opportunity. I was sitting in the bar I was employed when I got a random phone call from an old friend. There was an opportunity for me to film for Peacock Productions. It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. I packed my things and drove everything back to my parents house in Oklahoma. I had to leave Millie there because I couldn't take her on the road with me. I was going to be in a different city every week and living out of a suit case. To this day, my stint at this job is the longest I have ever been away from my girl. Every time I called home to check on my dog, my mother would tell me Millie had been staring out the window every day. I could not wait to come home to her.
My stint with Peacock was short lived. The project I was assigned to was terminated. This left me unemployed, and on the next plane back to Oklahoma City. My parents picked me up at the airport. I was excited to see them and my little brother, but most important thing to me was seeing my pup. Once again I had "failed" at something, but I knew my dog was going to be there for me. I remember walking in the door to my parents house and Millie running to me as fast as she could. I sat down and she jumped on the couch. She showered me with affection. It was a great homecoming.
I spent the next few months trying to find another job I would enjoy. Job hunting all day and then spending my evenings at the dog park with Millie and my little brother. I thought of tucking my tail and trying to return to Fox where I proudly resigned a two years prior. I could not bring myself to do this. I ended up accepting a position as a videographer for a local production house. I was able to fine tune my filming and editing skills while spending more time at home with loved ones and the pup. While working this job, I was able to save and team up with a few friends to start our own production company. It was very stressful, putting me in a different city every week. It was nice, because as the boss, I was able to have Millie with me whenever I wanted.

Millie is the best road trip partner. Her favorite thing in the world is a ride in the truck. She rides shotgun and knows we only stop when I need gas. She puts up with the loud music and shenanigans that happen on the road. She has seen so many states, and traveled farther than most people get to in their lifetime. She has been the only ear I had to listen to me vent and has kept me awake on many sleepless nights on the road. I feel like we are very lucky to have each other.
Almost 3 years ago I decided it was time to give up the travel and move back to Kansas. It proved to be beneficial for both of our health. I was able to stop eating fast food for every meal and Millie got a big yard and friends to run around with.
When it comes to a man and his dog, I believe the only bond stronger is that a man has with his wife and kids.I have neither, so I only know about the dog aspect. A man can learn many valuable lessons from the silent stares of a good dog. I have been very fortunate to have a great dog. She truly is my best friend. She knows all of my hopes, fears, and insecurities. She never judges. Someday when I have a child of my own, he will have a dog. Until then it is me and the Millie.
“Be the person your dog thinks you are!”